Preventing and Treating Flat Head Syndrome in Babies

11/28/2011

Article Body

The American Academy
of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that infants sleep on their backs to
reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and other
sleep-related deaths. As a result, pediatricians have seen an increase
in the number of children with positional plagiocephaly, or
positional skull deformities (flat heads). In the revised AAP clinical
report, “Prevention and Management of Positional Skull Deformities in Infants,” in the December 2011 Pediatrics (published
online Nov. 28), positional skull deformities are commonly diagnosed
as benign, reversible head-shape irregularities that are caused in
utero or may develop during the first few months of life, and do not
require surgical correction. It is important for pediatricians to be
able to differentiate between infants with positional skull
deformities and infants with craniosynostosis, a more serious
condition that can lead to neurological damage or severe craniofacial
deformity. The vast majority of positional plagiocephaly cases can be
corrected with physical therapy and noninvasive measures. Helmet
therapy is rarely necessary. If the condition appears to be worsening
by 6 months, referrals should be made to pediatric neurosurgeons with
expertise in caring for this condition to help determine whether a
skull-shaping helmet or other interventions are needed.

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The American
Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 60,000 primary care
pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical
specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well being of
infants, children, adolescents and young adults. For more information,
visit www.aap.org.